Snooker: 2026 World Championships (The Crucible)

[brothernero]

Jack Lisowki, Ryan Day and Athony McGill all out.

Luca Brecel also out. Good riddance.

[Crouchend_Hammer]

I would have liked to have seen Lisowski, Day and Brecel qualify
Not fussed about MacGill but I wpuls have preferred him to beat Ali Carter

Shame Ben mertens didn't make it through

[Up the Junction]

Results of the final eight R4 qualifying ties:

Gary Wilson [27] 10 - 9 Xu Si [38]
Ali Carter [23] 10 - 7 Anthony McGill [42]
Lei Peifan [30] 10 - 5 Ryan Day [35]
He Guoqiang [47] 10 - 5 Jack Lisowski [18]
Jak Jones [19] 10 - 5 Luca Brecel [46]
Liam Highfield [90] 10 - 2 Oliver Lines [58]
Fan Zhengyi [63] 10 - 4 Ben Mertens [66]
Zhang Anda [22] 10 - 3 Zak Surety [43]

First round proper draw, as made this morning:

The pre-tournament seedings of our 16 Crucible qualifiers - from highest, to lowest:

Liam Highfield (90); Liam Pullen (84); Antoni Kowalski (69); Fan Zhengyi (63); Matthew Stevens (48); He Guoqiang (47); Stan Moody (44); Hossein Vafaei (32); Lei Peifan (30); Pang Junxu (29); Gary Wilson (27); David Gilbert (25); Zhou Yuelong (24); Ali Carter (23); Zhang Anda (22); Jak Jones (19)

And here's how the rest of the tournament will pan out...

Round 2

Guodong (9)/Yuelong v Murphy (8)/Zhengyi
K Wilson (3)/Moody v Allen (14)/Anda
Hawkins (11)/Stevens v Williams (6)/Kowalski
Xintong (1)/Highfield v Junhui (16)/Gilbert
Wakelin (13)/Pullen v Robertson (4)/Junxu
Jiahui (15)/Vafaei v Trump (2)/G Wilson
Higgins (5)/Carter v O'Sullivan (12)/Guoqiang
Selby (7)/Jones v Yize (10)/Peifan

Quarter Finals

K Wilson (3)/Moody/Allen (14)/Anda v Hawkins (11)/Stevens/Williams (6)/Kowalski
Xintong (1)/Highfield/Junhui (16)/Gilbert v Guodong (9)/Yuelong/Murphy (8)/Zhengyi
Higgins (5)/Carter/O'Sullivan (12)/Guoqiang v Wakelin (13)/Pullen/Robertson (4)/Junxu
Selby (7)/Jones/Yize (10)/Peifan v Jiahui (15)/Vafaei/Trump (2)/G Wilson

Semi Finals

Xintong (1)/Highfield/Junhui (16)/Gilbert/Guodong (9)/Yuelong/Murphy (8)/Zhengyi v Higgins (5)/Carter/O'Sullivan (12)/Guoqiang/Wakelin (13)/Pullen/Robertson (4)/Junxu
K Wilson (3)/Moody/Allen (14)/Anda/Hawkins (11)/Stevens/Williams (6)/Kowalski v Selby (7)/Jones/Yize (10)/Peifan/Jiahui (15)/Vafaei/Trump (2)/G Wilson

[Late of the Boleyn]

Can't be too many sports where guys of 51 do battle with lads of 19. Bring it on!

[Harry1968]

Can't be too many sports where guys of 51 do battle with lads of 19. Bring it on!

I will on a Saturday afternoon with my whites on, although won't be for much longer!!

Will definitely be tuning in to the snooker, shame that no John Virgo this year.

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Another record number of Chinese players made it through, can only be a matter of time before an all Chinese Final surely?

Amazing that Lisowski is a tournament winner this season but won’t be at Crucible
Gutted to see Stuart Bingham not get through either.

[Up the Junction]

Amazing that Lisowski is a tournament winner this season but won’t be at Crucible

Same applies to Stephen Maguire (Championship League), Alfie Burden (Shootout), Joe Perry (Seniors) and Thepchaiya Un-nooh (World Open).

And former World champs Ken Docherty, Luca Brecel and Stuart Bingham too!

[Late of the Boleyn]

Will definitely be tuning in to the snooker, shame that no John Virgo this year.

I won't miss JV's dreary tone and over-repeated catchphrases. But if the replacement is Rob Walker...

[brothernero]

I won't miss JV's dreary tone and over-repeated catchphrases. But if the replacement is Rob Walker...

If the replacement is Rob Creepy Hands Walker, then the BBC can go and foxtrot Oscar.

[Up the Junction]

“We all thought we were friends with John because he had a great heart and he was funny, sometimes cantankerous but we loved him for that. All in all, he was part of snooker’s furniture, he was part of snooker’s history and a wonderful commentator. He got the best out of every match."
- Steve Davis, speaking at yesterday's memorial service for JV

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/sno ... 59260.html

Hugely missed by all genuine snooker fans.

[Up the Junction]

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Mark Williams is right up there with my all time favourite players and I would love to see him win once again but I think that’s a safe bet

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Same applies to Stephen Maguire (Championship League), Alfie Burden (Shootout), Joe Perry (Seniors) and Thepchaiya Un-nooh (World Open).

And former World champs Ken Docherty, Luca Brecel and Stuart Bingham too!

Yes indeed, huge spread of winners this season

[Up the Junction]

My comprehensive guide to and predictions for the first round ties:

Zhao Xintong (1) v Liam Highfield: the best player in the world at present versus the lowest ranked qualifier. Liam, making his fourth appearance at the Cruce, all first round defeats, will do well to take frames from Xintong, who has three titles to his name this season and is peaking at the right time. Zhao to win 10-4.

Ding Junhui (16) v David Gilbert: Ding, whose Sheffield-based institute has been responsible for several of his fellow Chinese players reaching pro status has endured a difficult season with just a couple of last eight ranking appearances to boast of. But with such a wonderful Crucible pedigree, the former finalist and three times semi finalist can never be ruled out in front of his 'home' crowd. Gilbert, at 44 five years Ding's senior has an even poorer record this season but has been a pro for 24 years and also has Crucible history, reaching the semis in 2019 and 2024. Toughest one to call, I think - I'm going with Gilbert, 10-9.

Xiao Guodong (9) v Zhao Yuelong: One of the original wave of Chinese players, Xiao has frequently failed to match Ding's standards but has usurped his friend this season, winning the Wuhan Open while reaching the last eight of the German Masters and semis of the Grand Prix in ranking events. Like Xiao, Zhao has never gone beyond the second round in Sheffield. Expect a tight contest here which could go either way, but Guodong should come through. 10-8.

Sean Murphy (8) v Fan Zhengyi: Murphy, 43, needs no introduction to anyone with the merest interest in snooker - the former champion has enjoyed a productive season, winning this year's British Open and reaching the final of the German Masters, Xian Grand Prix plus the semis of the UKs. 25-year-old Fan-tastic, one of the new generation of Chinese players will be making his third appearance at The Crucible where he is yet to win a match. He won't win this one either, Murphy to ease through to Round 2 - 10-5.



John Higgins (5) v Ali Carter: A tie too good for the first round. The Captain struggled at times in qualifying but came through with wins against Julien Leclercq and former World semi-finalist Anthony McGill and will give John, the current #5 seed a stern test. And what better motivation than another meeting with old foe O'Sullivan in Round 2? Still I think John will prevail here, winning 10-7.

Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) v He Guoqiang: Without checking, I expect this is Ronnie's lowest ranking since he won his first title - a result of his fleeting appearances this season - but he won't face much of a challenge here, as he seeks to make it 8 Masters, 8 UKs and 8 Worlds. It'll be He's third consecutive appearance at the Cruce, thanks to knocking out my favourite Jack Lisowski 10-5 in the final round of qualifying last week, but he's right up against it here - if O'Sullivan decides to turn up, that is. Ronnie to win 10-5.

Neil Robertson (4) v Pang Junxu: Another potential upset? Despite Robertson's win at the Saudi Masters and three semi final spots in ranking tournaments this season, his ranking feels generous. Pang, who's hovered in the ranking 20s for the last three years or so has the ability to take advantage in his fourth consecutive Crucible appearance should Robbo stutter. I predict this one to be very tight - possibly even requiring a decided. 10-9 to Junxu.

Chris Wakelin (13) v Liam Pullen: this one should be a belter. Chris' form has been sketchy in recent months although he has a ranking title win under his belt this year (Scottish Open) and reached the last four in the Saudi Masters. Liam is one of our four debutants this year and reached the Crucible courtesy of a 10-8 win against Noppon Saengkham at the Institute last week, having already seen off the challenge of Alfie Burden (10-9), Amir Sarkhosh (10-7) and 20th seed Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (10-7). Much depends on how Liam settles, still I think Chris will nick it - say 10-7.



Kyren Wilson (3) v Stan Moody: The most anticipated tie of the first round. At 19, young Stan - who first made waves as a 15-year-old in The Shootout - is the first British teenager to qualify (via the qualifying rounds) for the Crucible since Judd Trump in 2007. Wilson, the 2024 champion buckled in the first round last year - the Crucible curse landing again - and has had problems this year both on the table and off, where his wife has been ill of late. Still, I think experience wins here and Stan learns a valuable lesson. 10-5 to Wilson.

Mark Allen (14) v Zhang Anda: The Pistol, lovely fella, very inconsistent. Despite winning the English Open and enjoying last four spots in the Wuhan Open, (his home) Northern Ireland Open, the Scottish Open and the Players Championship, much will depend on how he feels on the day. At six years his junior, my favourite Chinese player - the Mighty Mouse, who stands just 5'3" tall - has it in his locker to win this if he can shake off his own inconsistency which has led him to one ranking final this year (World Grand Prix). Anda to nick it 10-8.

Barry Hawkins (11) v Matthew Stevens: two former finalists do battle in this enticing first round battle. Stevens came through two rounds of qualifying to make the last 32, beating amateur Peter Lines 10-8 and former Champion Stuart Bingham 10-7. Hawkins qualifies automatically as a top 16 seed so will go into this one without recent 'match fitness', which could tip the balance in Stevens' favour. Expect this one to go to the wire. Hawkins to edge it for me, 10-8.

Mark Williams (6) v Antoni Kowalski: Williams came so close to becoming the first quinquagenarian to lift the World title last year, eventually losing in the final to Xintong 18-12. He couldn't have asked for a gentler opening tie here though as he faces Antoni - the first ever Pole to play at The Crucible, which he reached having come through three rounds of qualifying. Kowalski burst into tears after qualifying for Sheffield; one wonders how he'd react were he to pull off one of the biggest shocks in years by beating Willo. The Welshman to win this 10-4.


Mark Selby (7) v Jak Jones: Possibly the tightest tie of the entire first round. Selby, a genius on the table in full flow but if his demons come calling - as they did last year in the first round against friend Ben Woollaston - it could be all over before it begins once again. Jones has once again enjoyed a fairly average season with only one ranking semi final appearance (English Open) but he comes alive at The Crucible, where, he's reached the last eight and last four in the last three years. Very difficult to call, but if Selby shakes off those nerves I see him winning this 10-6. But anything could happen.

Wu Yize (10) v Lei Peifan: One of the most exciting youngsters on the circuit, Wu is perfectly positioned to go deep at Sheffield this year. Thee 22-year-old won this year's International Championship and reached the last four at the Welsh and World Opens to earn plenty of ranking points. He also reached the last four of The Masters, losing to eventual winner Kyren Wilson and the final of the Championship League. Lei, also 22 is some way behind his compatriot in terms of development and beat Jordan Brown and Ryan Day in qualifying to make it this far. Yize to win comfortably, 10-4.

Si Jiahui (15) v Hossein Vafaei: if you're looking for an upset, this could be one where a seed may fall. The Pearl, a semi-finalist here in 2022 has had a poor season by his standards only really making waves at the Saudi Arabian Masters. Iran's Hossein hasn't performed much better but has a last four ranking appearance (World Open) this season. I think Vaf might nick this one, 10-8.

Trump (2) v Gary Wilson: The other Wilson led 7-1 in his round four qualifier against Xu Si before losing eight of the following nine frames, nicking it 10-9 on the decider. If he plays like he did in the first half of that match he might get close to Judd - if not, this one d be over before it begins. Trump to triumph 10-4.

My champion: It's so hard to look beyond the in-form Zhao Xintong, who'd probably never heard of the Crucible Curse until this week. A relatively easy run to the semis awaits where last year's opponent, Ronnie O'Sullivan would stand in his way should everything go as expected - though I just don't think Ronnie's been playing enough to compete with the Chinese lads.

If it's not to be Zhao to break the curse, I think this might just be Wu Yize's year if he can hold his nerve (and temperament) - he's been knocking on the door for a while now. Either way, I expect China to be celebrating a second Crucible title this year.

[Crouchend_Hammer]

I would say the top half of the draw is more heavily stacked than bottom half

[York Ham(mer)]

Well, the young lad Liam Pullen is a local boy, went to school a couple of miles away and still lives in York. Trains at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds. I wish him well but I don’t expect he'll get far. Perhaps we'll see him in the UK Championship in York one day.

[Korea Hammer]

I'm predicting a couple of upsets, Gary Wilson to beat Trump, mayne Moody to beat Wilson

[Korea Hammer]

Two weeks off work as well

[Chicken Run Supreme]

First match up and running with Xintong just about getting over the line but Highfield should have won that opening frame.

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Mark Williams (6) v Antoni Kowalski: …………………..The Welshman to win this 10-4.

Hope you had a few quid on this UTJ